Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Diagnosis and Management:
The Basics and Beyond
Diagnosing and Treating Infections in ME/CFS
Using Medications in ME/CFS
Daniel Peterson MD
Thursday October 6,, 2011
RMS Stockholm Sweden
Diagnosing and Treating Infections in
ME/CFS Patients
n  It
is unclear if infections act as a triggering
factor for the disease or if they may be
opportunistic and develop as a
consequence of impaired immunity
n  Persistent infections can contribute to the
maintenance of the disease and to the
worsening of symptoms
Common Pathogens Associated
with ME/CFS
n  Bacterial
¨  Mycoplasma
¨  Chlamydia
n  Viral
¨  Epstein-Barr
Virus (EBV)
¨  Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
¨  HHV-6 and 7
¨  Parvovirus
¨  Enteroviruses
Common Bacterial Infections
Observed in Patients with ME/CFS
Bacterial
Infection
Mycoplasma
Chlamydia
Test
Treatment
Options
Serology and PCR
Prolonged antibiotic
treatment
Serology and PCR
Prolonged antibiotic
treatment
Bacterial Imbalance
n 
Intestinal Dysbiosis
¨  Defined
as a breakdown in the balance between
putative species of protective versus harmful
intestinal bacteria
¨  Leads to leaky gut syndrome
Leaky Gut Syndrome
n  Leaky
gut occurs when the intestinal and/
or bowel is hyperpermeable
n  Low tolerance to alcohol is presumed by
some to be an indication of leaky gut
syndrome
n  Leaky gut syndrome is an inducer of
chronic low grade systemic inflammation
Kenny De Meirleir, M.D., Ph.D. Professor of Physiology and Medicine Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Leaky Gut Syndrome Diagnosis
n  Laboratory
findings in ME/CFS patients
with leaky gut:
¨ IgA
and IgM for intestinal aerobic bacteria in
serum
¨ High plasma lipopolysaccharide levels in
serum
¨ High leukocyte ELASTASE activity in PBMCs
¨ GI gastrin and small bowel biopsy
Kenny De Meirleir, M.D., Ph.D. Professor of Physiology and Medicine Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Leaky Gut Syndrome Treatment
n 
Reoccurring antibiotic combination therapy with
alternating substances
¨ 
One occurrence for 8-10 days per month or 21 days
consecutively
n 
n 
n 
n 
Probiotics - to rebuild the gut bacteria culture, but also
for recovering it after each treatment
n 
n 
n 
n 
Erythromycin
Clarithromycin
Xifaxan
VSL-3
Mutaflor
The treatment suppresses overgrowth, but does not
eradicate an entire type of bacteria
Leaky gut diet
Kenny De Meirleir, M.D., Ph.D. Professor of Physiology and Medicine Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Common Viral Infections Observed
in Patients with ME/CFS
Virus
Test
Treatment Options
EBV
Serology and PCR
Antiviral and/or
immunological therapy
CMV
Serology, antigenemia,
culture, PCR
Antiviral and/or
immunological therapy
HHV-6
Serology, antigenemia,
culture, PCR
Antiviral and/or
immunological therapy
HHV-7
Serology, antigenemia,
culture, PCR
Antiviral and/or
immunological therapy
Parvovirus
IgG, IgM, PCR
IVIG
Enterovirus
Serology
Oxymatrine
Detecting Herpes in CSF in Encephalopathic
Patients: A Clinical Algorithm
CDC 1994 and 2003 Canadian Consensus Definitions Fulfilled
Prominent CNS Symptoms
Abnormal MRI/SPECT Scan
Abnormal Cerebral Spinal Fluid
•  Increased Opening Pressure on Lumbar Puncture
•  Increased Total Protein
•  Lymphocytosis
Positive Viral Culture/PCR
Prominent CNS Symptoms
n  Headaches
n  Neurocognitive
impairments
¨ Word
finding
¨ Short term memory
n  Paresthesias
n  Autonomic
dysfunction
Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI)
Increased
T2-weighted
images in
high white
matter tracts
Abnormal Cerebral Spinal Fluid
n Increased
opening pressure on lumbar
puncture
n Increased
total protein (myelin basic
protein)
n Lymphocytosis
Characteristics of CSF with and
without HHV-6 Infection
Characteristic
CSF without
HHV-6 infection
CSF with HHV-6
infection
Oligoclonal
banding
normal
normal
Total protein
Normal
á
Myelin basic
protein
normal
á
Lactic acid
normal
á
Lymphocytes
normal
á
Opening pressure
normal
á
Viruses in CSF of ME/CFS Patients
n 44/279
(16%) ME/CFS patients positive
for virus in spinal fluid
¨ 1
EBV (HHV-4)
¨ 1 CMV (HHV-5)
¨ 42 HHV-6, all variant A
¨ 0 HHV-7
¨ 0 HHV-8
Number of Patients Treated with
Anti-Herpes Drugs
Drug
N total N female
N male
Ganciclovir
4
4
0
Foscarnet
1
0
1
Cidofovir
40
30
10
Transfer
Factor
Poly[I]-Poly
[C12U]
47
37
10
586
n/a
n/a
Patient 1566
n 
n 
n 
n 
n 
n 
n 
n 
First seen in 1996
Classic symptoms of ME/CFS
Initial diagnosis of Tahoe flu
Seizures accompanied by MRI UBOs
Serum and spinal fluid positive for HHV6 A
Germ line CIHHV6 verified 2007
Developed clonal TCRγ rearrangement 04/2007
Cidofovir therapy in 2007 followed by
improvement in symptoms and reduced HHV6
viral load
Patient 1566
PreCidofovir
PostCidofovir
CSF
PCR
CSF
VIRAL LOAD 3670
Undetected
SERUM
PCR
HHV6A+
SERUM
VIRAL LOAD 46,857
HHV6A +
HHV6A+
HHV6A -
3,000
Clinical Study
n 
n 
Cross-Sectional Study of Leukotropic Herpes
viruses in Patients with Post Infectious Fatigue
Study goal
¨  Identification
of chronic active herpesvirus infections
in individuals in order to prevent the misdiagnosis of
chronic fatigue syndrome and thereby justify new
intervention strategies, such as antiviral therapy
K Knox, D Carrigan, D Peterson 2010
Study Subjects
n  249
n  All
study subjects
subjects met the following criteria:
¨ Canadian
Consensus Document and CDC
criteria for ME/CFS
¨ Systemic
signs and symptoms of an active,
ongoing infection
K Knox, D Carrigan, D Peterson 2010
Methods for the Diagnosis of
Human Herpesvirus Infections
n  Detection
of HHV-6 and HCMV
¨ Viral
isolation from PBL using human diploid
fibroblasts as the viral target
¨ Detection of viral DNA in serum or plasma by
nested PCR
n  Detection
of active EBV virus
¨ IgG
antibody titers for specific viral proteins
(EBV EBNA-1)
K Knox, D Carrigan, D Peterson 2010
Detection of Herpesvirus Infections
n 
n 
Detection of herpes virus infections by Immediate Early
Protein Antigenemia (left)
Detection of herpes virus infections by Immediate Early
Protein Rapid Culture (right)
K Knox, D Carrigan, D Peterson 2010
Active Leukotropic Herpes Virus Infections in
Blood Samples from Patients with Post
Infectious Fatigue
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Percent of
Patients
Positive
79/1532
54/1941
71/2491
HHV-6
HCMV
EBV
1
Positive antigenemia or culture
2
EBNA-1 IgG titer >4000 units/ml
K Knox, D Carrigan, D Peterson 2010
K Knox, D Carrigan, D Peterson 2010
Cidofovir Treatment Reduces CMV
Activity in Samples from 16 Treated
Patients
78%
72%
CMV+
28%
CMV-­‐
Before Treatment
22%
After Treatment
K Knox, D Carrigan, D Peterson 2010
Cidofovir Treatment of Patients with PostInfectious Fatigue
n 
n 
Patient 7465
Rapid culture or
antigenemia
n 
n 
Months After
Treatment
0
5
8
11
13
HCMV
+
-
-
-
-
HHV-6
+
-
-
-
-
Patient 7259
Rapid culture or
antigenemia
Months
After
Treatment
0
4
8
10
13
18
HCMV
+
-
-
-
-
-
HHV-6
+
-
+
-
-
-
K Knox, D Carrigan, D Peterson 2010
Study Conclusions
1. Active beta herpes virus infections and high
EBNA-1 titers are often seen patients with postinfectious fatigue syndrome
2. Treatment with effective antiviral agents
demonstrates suppression of viral activity
3. Future research studies should include longterm clinical follow-up of antiviral responders
4. Up to 30% of this sample may benefit from
antiviral treatment
K Knox, D Carrigan, D Peterson 2010
Using Medications in ME/CFS
Medications for Treating ME/CFS
n  There
is no known cause and no known cure for
ME/CFS
n  There are no FDA or Health Canada approved
drugs for treatment of ME/CFS
n  Current available therapies only target one or
more of the endocrinological, neurological,
immunological or psychological symptoms
related to ME/CFS
Medications for Treating ME/CFS
n  A
CDC study reported that ME/CFS patients use
two times more drugs compared to controls
n  ME/CFS patients were more likely to use any
drug category than controls
n  Pain relievers and vitamins/supplements were
most commonly used in both groups
n  ME/CFS patients were more likely to use pain
relievers, hormones, antidepressants,
benzodiazepines, GI and CNS medications
Jones JF, Nisenbaum R, Reeves WC. Medication Use by Persons With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
Results of a Randomized Telephone Survey in Wichita, Kansas. BioMed Central Health Quality of
Life Outcomes 2003;1:74
General Treatment Caveats
n 
n 
No treatment strategies are universally effective
ME/CFS patients are hypersensitive to medications
¨ 
n 
Multiple medications are often required to address the
numerous symptoms
¨ 
n 
n 
Start low, go slow
If needed, make one medication change at a time, therefore
the effectiveness and side effects of each medication can be
determined
Medications may need to be replaced periodically in
order to avoid developing tolerance to medications
Always keep the therapeutic regimen as safe, simple,
effective and inexpensive as possible
Symptomatic Treatment
n 
n 
n 
n 
n 
n 
ME/CFS patients present with different symptoms
Determine which symptoms are of greatest concern and
contribute most to dysfunction
Identify co-morbid conditions
Prioritize the symptoms and/or co-morbid conditions and
tailor the management plan accordingly
Adjust the treatment plan as needed
Always evaluate and address new symptoms or
deterioration
Prescription Medications
n 
Treatment is based on the symptomatology of ME/
CFS
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
n 
Drugs to improve sleep
Drugs to relieve pain
Drugs to alter mood and/or cognition
Drugs to treat endocrine and neuroendocrine
abnormalities
Immunological and antiviral therapies
Other drugs
ME/CFS patients are often hypersensitive to
medications
¨ 
Reduce dose to 1/2 to 1/3 the recommended dose*
*Sumpton, Janice. CFS//ME FOR PHARMACISTS. 2008. FM-CFS Canada.
1. Drugs to Improve Sleep
n 
Sleep sustainers - often used off-label to assist sleep
¨ 
¨ 
¨ 
¨ 
¨ 
¨ 
n 
Sedative/hypnotics - approved
specifically for sleep
¨ 
¨ 
n 
n 
Zopiclone
Quetiapine
Benzodiazepines
¨ 
n 
Trazodone
Doxepin
Cyclobenzaprine
Amitriptyline
Mirtazapine
Gabapentin
Clonazepam
L-tryptophan
Melatonin
Carruthers, et al. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical Working Case
Definition, Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Vol. 11(1)
2003.
2. Drugs to Relieve Pain
n 
n 
Acetaminophen
NSAIDs
¨ 
¨ 
n 
Cox-2 inhibitors
¨ 
n 
Ibuprofen
Naproxen
n 
¨ 
¨ 
n 
Amitriptylline
Nortriptylline
Doxepin
Cyclobenzaprine
Baclofen
Anticonvulsants
Gabapentin – for severe
neuropathic pain
¨  Pregabalin
¨ 
Celecoxib
TCAs
¨ 
¨ 
¨ 
Muscle relaxants
n 
Narcotics/opiates – only if
severe pain
Carruthers, et al. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical Working Case
Definition, Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Vol. 11(1)
2003.
3. Drugs to Alter Mood and/or
Cognition
n  Stimulants
– improve fatigue
¨  Methylphenidate
n  Randomized control trial (RCT)
22% of pts improved concentration
¨  17% of pts decreased fatigue scores¹
¨ 
¨  Modafanil
¨  Armodafinil
¨  Dextroamphetamine
¨  Amantadine
n  Side effects can be severe in ME/CFS patients
1. Blockmans et al. Does methylphenidate reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome? Am
J Med. 2006 Feb;119(2):167.e23-30
3. Drugs to Alter Mood and/or
Cognition (continued)
n 
SSRIs
¨ 
¨ 
¨ 
n 
Fluoxetine
¨ 
n 
n 
n 
n 
First line for depression treatment
Not usually effective in treating fatigue
May interfere with sleep
RCT ineffective in Rx of depression in ME/CFS patients
Citalopram
Paroxetine
Sertraline
Fluvoxamine
Spotila, L. CFIDS Chronicle 2005-2006. Pharmacotherapy for CFS.
3. Drugs to Alter Mood and/or
Cognition (continued)
n 
SNRIs
¨  Venlafaxine
– may increase pain threshold
¨  Duloxetine
n 
MAOIs
¨  Moclobemide
n  Improves fatigue¹
n 
Other antidepressants
¨  Bupropion
n  Showed improvement of depression in nine patients²
1. Hickie et al A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of moclobemide in patients with
chronic fatigue syndrome J Clin Psychiatry. 2000 Sep;61(9):643-8
2. Goodnick et al. Bupropion treatment of fluoxetine-resistant chronic fatigue syndrome. Biol
Psychiatry. 1992 Nov 1;32(9):834-8
MULTI-USE DRUGS
SLEEP
TCAs
Amitriptyline
Doxepin
+++
Trazodone
++++
MOOD
+
PAIN
++
MIGRAINE
++
SIDE EFFECTS
Weight gain,
Orthostatic
intolerance
Day sedation
SSRIs
Fluoxetine, Sertraline,
Citalopram
Mirtazapine
Day sedation
+/-
++++
+
++++
+
+
SNRIs
Venlafaxine
Duloxetine
+
+
++++
++
+
++
Increase in
diastolic BP
Anticonvulsants
Gabapentin
Pregabalin
+++
+++
++
++
+++ +
+++ +
Brain fog
Antipsychotics
Quetiapine
+++
+++
Weight gain
Bateman L., Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia – Tips and Travails of Treatment – ProHealth
4. Drugs to Treat Endocrine and
Neuroendrocrine Abnormalities
n 
n 
n 
n 
n 
Hydrocortisone
Fludrocortisone RCT – Ineffective in ME/CFS
DHEA
Galantamine
¨  Increases acetylcholine leading to an increase in the
activity of the HPA axis
¨  RCT reported no significant differences between
placebo and drug
Melatonin
¨  Some patients found an increase in physical function
Spotila, L. CFIDS Chronicle 2005-2006. Pharmacotherapy for CFS.
5. Immunological and Antiviral
Therapies
n 
Immunoglobulin
¨ 
Gamma globulin
n 
n 
Ampligen (Poly I:Poly C12U)
¨ 
¨ 
n 
RCT – mixed results, high incidence of side effects¹
Approved in Canada, but not in US
Improves ME/CFS symptoms
Antivirals
¨ 
¨ 
¨ 
¨ 
Acyclovir
Valacyclovir
Ganciclovir
Valganciclovir (Ganciclovir prodrug)
n 
¨ 
¨ 
¨ 
RCT – mixed results in virus titers and
improvement¹
Significant improvement in patients with a preceding viral illness²
Cidofovir
CMX001
Foscarnet
1. Spotila, L. CFIDS Chronicle 2005-2006. Pharmacotherapy for CFS.
2. Kogelnik et al. Use of valganciclovir in patients with elevated antibody titers against Human
Herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) who were experiencing central nervous
system dysfunction including long-standing fatigue J Clin Virol. 2006 Dec;37 Suppl 1:S33-8
5. Immunological and Antiviral
Therapies (continued)
DNA virus antivirals - Herpes viruses
§  DNA synthesis inhibitor (HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV,
CMV)
§  Thimidine kinase (TK) activated – purine analogue
§  Acyclovir/Valacyclovir
§  Ganciclovir/Valganciclovir
§  Not TK activated
§  Foscarnet – acyclovir and ganciclovir resistant
§  Nucleic acid inhibitors
§  Cidofovir – acyclovir resistant herpes, CMV, VZV, anti-BK
virus
5. Immunological and Antiviral
Therapies (continued)
CMX001 – Cidofovir PIM Conjugate
n 
n 
n 
n 
CMX001 is a mimic of a naturally occurring lipid, lysolecithin, formed
by linking a lipid to the phosphonate group of cidofovir
Designed to readily cross the intestinal wall and penetrate target
cells before being cleaved to free the antiviral cidofovir
Improved Potency Demonstrated in Preclinical Studies
In cell culture assays, CMX001 is significantly more active than
cidofovir against double-stranded DNA viruses including:
¨ 
¨ 
¨ 
Orthopoxviruses (variola, monkeypox, vaccinia, cowpox, and
ectromelia)
Herpes viruses (CMV, herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1,-2,-6, -8, HSV-2,
varicella zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
Multiple adenoviruses
Chimerix Inc.
5. Immunological and Antiviral
Therapies (continued)
Poly I: Poly C12U
n 
n 
n 
n 
An immune stimulator and viral modulator
Double-stranded RNA compound
New protocol revisions
Clinical trials
¨ 
¨ 
AMP 516 – 2004 RCT, double-blind, phase III
AMP 511 – ongoing, open-label, phase III
6. Other Drugs
n 
Orthostatic intolerance
¨  Volume expansion
n  Sodium chloride – salt, IV normal saline
n  Fludrocortisone
¨  Beta blockers
n  Pindolol
n  Atenolol
¨  Alpha-1 agonists
n  Midodrine
¨  Paroxetine (SSRI) – only use if the above
work
Rx do not
Carruthers, et al. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical Working Case
Definition, Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Vol. 11(1)
2003.
Medication Summary
n 
n 
Create an individualized drug regimen
Prioritize health concerns
¨ 
¨ 
¨ 
n 
n 
n 
n 
Urgent health issues
Co-morbid conditions
Disruptive and disabling symptoms
The goal of any treatment plan is to optimize health in
order to optimize function
Adjust medications as needed
Balance the beneficial effects of medications against
their adverse effects
Address new symptoms if they develop